Strong measures required to infuse purity in sports bodies; oust who monopolised federation: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said strong measures are required to infuse purity, fairness and autonomy in the sports bodies as it directed the Union government to explore diplomatic channels for resolution of the conflict with regard to the recognition of Sports Associations, most urgently the Kabaddi Federation of India.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, to ensure that the Kabaddi players and other sports persons are allowed to participate in international competitions, including the ensuing Asian Kabaddi Championship at Iran.

Taking up a writ petition filed by Priyanka and another on Tuesday, the court took cognisance of the offensive language used by the "purported and so-called" President of the Asian Federation.

"It seems to us that some strong measures are required to be taken in order to infuse purity, fairness, autonomy and independence in the election process, particularly to oust such persons who have monopolised the sports federation for their vested interest," the bench said.

The court sought a suggestion from the CBI Director for an investigation mechanism for effective domestic and international probes, with the assistance of international investigating agencies such as Interpol, into the affairs of the Sports Federation.

The bench also asked Mehta to find out whether the electoral roll of the Kabaddi Federation of India is valid and transparent, and whether the State Units are represented by genuinely elected or nominated persons, who can be permitted to participate in the election of the Governing body of the National Federation.

The court fixed the matter for consideration on February 6, 2025.

Kabaddi players Priyanka and Pooja sought a direction to AKFI, not affiliated with the International Kabaddi Federation, for sending them to the Asian Kabaddi Championship scheduled to be held in Iran from February 20 to 25.

During the hearing, the bench said if there was anything wrong with the election of the governing body of AKFI, then the court would not hesitate in ordering a fresh election and this time it wouldn’t depend on any administrator.

"We deprecate this practice of appointing former judges or bureaucrats as administrators. This practice is not good for anyone. The democratic values have to be restored. The voters, participants must be very genuine, most of them from sports background," the bench said.